A few minutes ago, Front Office Sports published a paper on the fact that the Orioles, with their 101 victories in 2023 and their bank of prospects, will ruin everything with a change of ownership to come.
After all, instead of one guy counting his pennies, we're talking about two men with deep pockets who aren't afraid to spend.
And two days later, what happens?
The Orioles have landed Brewers starting pitcher Corbin Burnes. Since the start of the off-season, we have been waiting for such a personnel movement… and it has happened.
Burnes will make over $15 million this year and will be a free agent in a year. The Brewers, who argued with him in arbitration last year, were not going to keep him.
A tough time is coming to Milwaukee. Will Willy Adames be next?
The Orioles will add a big salary to their payroll (barely $90 million last year), but for a pitcher who is worth it. Burnes is one of the best in his profession.
He will perfectly guide the young Orioles pitchers. The Eastern American clubs take this for granted, we agree.
Dylan Cease being too expensive, Burnes is a member of the Orioles.
The Baltimore club has drawn from its bank of prospects. This is the first time the GM has agreed to do it to this extent, letting DL Hall (a left-handed pitcher I like) and shortstop Joey Ortiz go.
A compensatory pick between the first and second rounds of the draft will also be included.
The Orioles window has just opened, a year ago, and now the effects of the upcoming change of ownership are already being felt: the window is being broken down, in Baltimore.
Note that Scott Boras represents Burnes, which limits his chances of signing a contract extension this year. But never mind, the Orioles are in the car anyway.
Imagine if a contract extension for an Adley Rutschman or a Gunnar Henderson was announced shortly. It's going to take longer than that, I know… but the fans can hope.
- Willie Mays Day in San Francisco will be February 4, 2024.
- Sad news in Chicago. Tom Hellmann has died.
